Snowboard fans may have anticipated that after taking off last week's event in Sweden to prepare for two World Cup stops in his home country, the 28-year-old Mt. Tremblant, Que. native, would fall back in the race for the overall title. But Anderson had other things on his mind, picking up where he left off to post his fourth straight top-five finish in as
many events, by finishing fourth on home snow.
"I am riding very consistent right now, but I just need to step it up a bit to get back on the podium" said Anderson, who has two third-place finishes this season. "I have been riding well enough to win, but conditions right now determine whether I get on the podium or not. It got a little hard packed at the end, and that doesn't suit my style. I just didn't have enough in the end, but today was a good day."

Anderson was one of nine Canadians in the field of 47 men attempting to qualify for the finals. Each athlete completes two qualification runs. The finals consist of a match-play format with the top-16 racers competing head-to-head - with the winner of each heat moving on to the next round.

When there was only two racers left, it was a familiar name at the top as Siegfried Grabner of Austria, who wears the yellow bib symbolizing he is the current overall World Cup alpine leader, cruised his way through the round of 16 to claim the gold medal. Grabner knocked off Simon Schoch of Switzerland, who leaves Whistler with the silver, while another Austrian,
Stefan Kaltschuetz squeaked onto the last spot of the podium ahead of Anderson, winning the small final. Canada had nine athletes entered in the women's side of the draw, which had a list of 47 competitors from around the world. While no Canadian women moved onto the round of 16, Calgary's Aimee Newton was the top
Canuck, finishing 25th in qualifying.

The Swiss continued to dominate the women's division as Ursula Bruhin and Daniela Meuli, who have been battling for top spot all season long, finished one-two respectively. Michelle Gorgone of the United States grabbed the final spot on the podium, knocking off Marion Kreiner of Austria in the small final.

Complete results of the Nissan parallel giant slalom can be found at www.fis-ski.com/calendar/event.php?id=12311 on the the Internet.

Canadians may have been shut out of the podium on Friday, but two of the nation's most promising young athletes won't leave Whistler empty handed. Sarah Conrad (18) of Dartmouth, N.S. and Tom Velisek (22) of Vernon, B.C.
were presented with the annual Neil Daffern Award. Both athletes will receive $5,000 cash and a plaque in recognition of their achievements as the nation's top male and female developing athletes.
Neil Daffern was a pioneer in the sport of snowboarding as advocate, designer, and one of the first few Canadians to compete in World Cup competitions. Neil passed away in a helicopter accident while taking part in a heli-snowboarding competition in 1990. Neil's parents, Tony and Gillian Daffern, created the award in his memory. Neil's commitment and love for the sport is reflected in the award as he always encouraged others to strive for excellence.
RBC Financial Group kicked the day off in Whistler with an athlete and media breakfast to officially announce a nine-year, $1.3-million deal that will help deliver the necessary resources Canadian snowboard athletes need to win. A video news release with highlights of today's events, including one of the largest sponsorship announcements in the history of the Canadian Snowboard Federation, can be downlinked via satellite at the
following:

TIME: 17:45 - 18:00 PST
Satellite: ANIKE2C8B (ch. 16)
Audio: 6.8 & 6.2 mhz
Downlink: 4020 vertical; video & two associated audios

Coverage of the 2003 Nokia Snowboard FIS World Cup at Whistler can be seen on CBC Sports Saturday, December 13th at 3 p.m.EST. Complete taped coverage of the World Cup event can also be viewed on CBC Sports, December
20th, from 2-4 p.m. EST.

The Canadian Snowboard Federation was established in 1991 as the governing body for the sport of competitive snowboarding in Canada. The CSF manages programs throughout the country, with the goal of fostering development of Canadian athletes, coaches and officials from the "grassroots" level through to the Olympic Games. For more information on the Canadian
Snowboard Federation, please visit us at www.csf.ca on the Internet.

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FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Chris Dornan
Media and Public Relations
Canadian Snowboard Federation
T: 403-585-0254